The Wemstroms: Everyone deserves the same fair treatment

Monday

Jan 20, 2014 at 9:00 AM

By Chuck and Pat Wemstrom

We think of ourselves simply as Americans, perhaps Midwesterners, but still just Americans. We seldom use the expression "Illinoisan." When we travel across the country by car of fly from coast to coast we are treated as Americans. It doesn't matter where we're from. The Rules of the Road are basically the same, and the FAA makes sure that every airport meets federal safety standards.

The 10th Amendment is important, but it should not be used to deny citizens the rights, protections and privileges of the United States. It should be used sparingly and not used to protect only the affluent, or promulgate bigotry and racism.

We are appalled at state tax structures that insure only the wealthy, living in economically segregated areas, have the best schools in the nation. To us that's un-American. We're all Americans first and last. Because our children were born on Chicago's north side, they received better educations than if they had been born on the south side or in Mississippi, but statistically at least, their education was inferior to students who were born in Wilmette. American children everywhere, in every city and town in every state, should receive the same quality education.

Nine states "refused to process applications by same-sex couples in a convenient and respectful manner" for members of their National Guard units. These applicants are entitled "to full spousal and family benefits, including health care coverage, housing allowances and survivor benefits."

Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel had to order these states to comply, saying they were breaking federal law.

Many states don't seem to care that their states lag the nation in education, health care, longevity or infant mortality. Gov. Pat Quinn has accepted federal assistance to upgrade the state's railroads while Wisconsin's Gov. Scott Walker turned down his state's share. Twenty-six states have refused to participate in the extension of Medicaid, denying their people desperately needed assistance.

Although some states do to a better job than others, no state can be proud of its affirmative action programs in education and government hiring.

Yes, there are states that are taking positive steps on their own. California has historically had higher fuel economy standards. Ten northeast states are trying to fight pollution and climate change while the rest of the country refuses to even recognize the problem.

California has also chosen to decrease gerrymandering of congressional districts, creating the California Citizens Redistricting Commission.

We want local units of government. We participate and vote in government at all levels, as we should. However, we need a strong federal government to protect our rights. The U.S. Supreme Court has finally granted gays and lesbians many of the same rights as heterosexuals. If legislators in some states feel that gays and lesbians are living in sin, they should not prevail over federal law. Utah, for example, should recognize as legitimate marriages performed in other states, and they should allow gays to marry in their own state.

Employers should not be able to impose their religious beliefs on their employees.

States should not be allowed to discriminate against working men and women and leave them solely at the mercy and whim of their employers; they are entitled to the same rights as other working people all over the world - the right to join a union.

And no matter where a child is born - north or south, in a ghetto, a barrio, a reservation, or in an economically stressed rural area, he or she should receive the same high-quality education that the children in affluent communities receive.

Chuck and Pat Wemstrom live in rural Mount Carroll. They can be reached at patandchuck@gmail.com.